Author(s)

Date Approved

Embargo Period

Document Type

Degree Name

Department

Theatre & Dance

College

College of Performing Arts

First Advisor

Graneto, Phillip A.

Subject(s)

Metaphysics in art; Oedipus (Tale) in literature

Disciplines

Theatre and Performance Studies

Abstract

The fundamental human struggle is a spiritual struggle demonstrated by a metaphysical analysis of the drama Oedipus Rex. Drama presents a mimesis of human action and dramatic plots are comprised of these physical actions. This fundamental dramatic action consists of the embodied action of the human being (i.e., substance), comprised of body and soul (i.e., matter and form). Through these embodied actions Aristotelian metaphysical first principles become tangible for the audience. This metaphysical reality is both fundamental to the human being and universal to the human experience. Therefore the fundamental human struggle is a spiritual struggle, viz., the exercise of virtue and rejection of vice.